In the final regular-season game at Candlestick Park on Monday night, the 49ers' All-Pro inside linebacker returned a deflected pass 89 yards for a touchdown with 1:10 left to seal a 34-24 win over the Falcons, clinch a playoff berth and send 69,732 nostalgic fans home happy.

The 49ers (11-4), who were facing the specter of missing the postseason if they lost their final two games, now have a slim chance of winning their third straight NFC West title. They can claim the division if they win at Arizona (10-5) on Sunday and St. Louis (7-8) beats the Seahawks (12-3) in Seattle.

On Monday, it was Bowman who changed their fortunes.

"That's the best thing I've ever seen happen in a football game," 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh said. "It might have been close to The Catch."